“What’s in them?” I ask.
“Bandages, one tourniquet each, Quick Clot for helping blood clot faster, gauze … ” she says as she shows me each one. I pick up one package and turn it over in my hands.
“The label says it’s a chest decompression needle,” I say. “I don’t even know what you do with it.”
“Me either, but hey, we at least we have one,” she says. I put the needle back in the sack and see shears, a glow stick, and exam gloves. Afterward, she puts it all back inside the brown pouch and gives it to me.
She stands up and brushes off her pants. “Taking them leaves less room for food and water, but weapons and medical kits are more important.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Bill comes around me and gives her a hard look. “We’ll even out the weight between the five of us. We’ll each have enough to snack on and drink.”
“Hey, Lexi?” Grace says. “C. Hamilton, that’s your father right?”
“Yeah, why?”
“The message on the wall, I read it on my way over, and I didn’t want to just assume it was him.”
“It’s my dad.”
“What’s his first name? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“Of course not. It was Christopher.”
“I’ve always loved that name; it’s strong.”
“Thanks. Me too.”
“Well, if you guys are all right here, I’ll be on my way,” she says. “See you in a bit.” She glances at me, then leaves as fast as she entered.
“Brain break time,” Bill says.
“What?”
“I’m going to take fifteen.”
“Okay.”
Bill slumps against the wall and closes his eyes. Next thing I know, he’s snoring and smacking his lips in his sleep.
I put the medical kits beside the stacks of weapons. My eyes burn, and I feel zapped of all my energy. I flick the light off and am about to head into the training room, when I see Bruno and Cole, quietly going over plans for the hospital. I decide to stop next to the doorway and listen.
They sit on the floor, papers laid out between them. Their hushed voices bounce off the low ceiling. Zeus sits loyally at Cole’s side, and Roméo sleeps under a sweatshirt against the wall. The blinking overhead light shows dark hollows beneath Cole’s eyes. Yet, he’s still awake.
“I guess that’s it.” Cole sighs. He folds up a paper. “Our fate rests on tomorrow.”
They gather the remaining papers and tuck them into their clothes. When only one’s left lying between them, Bruno clears his throat. I watch as Cole’s head snaps up.
“Listen, man,” Bruno says, “all joking aside, if something happens to me—”
“Stop. Nothing’s going to happen, all right?” Cole says.
“But if it does, promise me you’ll get Grace the hell out of here. I came into this mess willingly, but her … she’s here because of me. So please … don’t let them … ” Bruno can’t even finish.
I twist the ring around my finger and feel my heart catching in my throat. I’ve never heard Bruno’s voice sound so broken and vulnerable before. And he doesn’t even know the worst part. Cole leans over and puts a hand on Bruno’s shoulder.
“You’re the best damn combat fighter I know. We’re smarter than them,” Cole says. He pulls his hand back, and they lock eyes for a moment. “We are all getting out of here alive.”
I think about their friendship. I can’t even imagine the fire that’s tested it so many times before this. They know each other’s moves, and effortlessly work in small spaces together. They trust each other with their families and lives, like brothers.
“Okay, no more mushy crap,” Bruno says. He laughs and punches Cole in the shoulder, breaking the tension. Zeus’s head perks up.
I laugh to myself until a clatter outside the training room drives my attention away. Grace cusses. She carries a huge backpack and a box of canned goods. I rush out of the weapons room to help her.
“Grace, you’re holding too much weight,” I say, as I pick a few cans off the floor.
“Shhhh,” she says. She rests the box on one knee while reorganizing the cans to balance better. “Don’t baby me in front of him.”
“You really should tell him.”
“No way, not now,” she says.
“Grace, he has a right to know, even if it’s painful.”
“You’re right. He does, and once we’re done with this, I’ll tell him. Timing’s everything with Bruno.”
“By coming with us, you’re putting you and your baby at risk.”
Cole’s jaw drops open, and I realize he must have followed us out, and obviously overheard some things. I put a finger to my lips, telling him to keep his mouth shut. “Please … stay here,” I say to Grace.
“No. I’m coming with you.” Grace’s face dissolves into a perfect smile as Bruno arrives and takes the box from her. “Thank you, darling. There’s no room in my backpack.”